Southwick man Frank is still bowling '“ at 100

Frank Grevatt, who turned 100 last Saturday, was joined by family, friends and fellow bowling enthusiasts at Adur Indoor Bowls Club on Thu-rsday.

More than 120 people packed the club, in Old Barn Way, Southwick, for a bowls drive and celebration lunch in Mr Grevatt's honour.

Mr Grevatt, who joined the club when it started in 1990, told the Herald he managed to visit a couple of times a week.

He was glad the weather had held for his celebration day.

"I used to come to the club a lot more. The part I play now is more social than competitive," he said. "I was glad it wasn't raining. It might have put people off coming."

Mr Grevatt added he had been a keen athlete in his younger days.

"I used to do a bit of cycling and running. My father, James, founded the Worthing Harriers," he said.

Tony Sharman, vice-chairman of Adur Indoor Bowling Club, paid tribute to Mr Grevatt and said a huge number of people had wanted to attend the celebration. So many people wanted to come," said Mr Sharman. "He is definitely our oldest member. He really doesn't look 100."

He added the club was keen to focus on the other end of the age spectrum and attract younger members.

Mr Sharman said: "We always welcome new members. We take anyone from any age.

"Unfortunately, we have trouble attracting the youngsters, which is what we want to do. Unfortunately, bowls has the reputation of being an old person's sport, which it really isn't.

"We want to encourage as many youngsters as we can to get into bowls.

"For various reasons, all over the country, all over the world, bowls is on the decline."

Mr Sharman said people were welcome to drop into the club and see what it had to offer.

"You can just come and have a roll-up, a practice, or come to a drive. As well as bowls, we have got something like 150 social members, who don't bowl at all and come for their lunches and social events."

For more information about the club and how you can get involved, call 01273 870670.